Carp Fishing in New York

Originally from Asia, carp were first introduced into New York State waters in 1831 to provide another food fish. Currently found in waters across the state, carp can grow quite large. The state record carp is 50 pounds 4 ounces. While the likelihood of anglers encountering a carp of that size is low, New York has many waters with abundant carp in the 10-30 pound range.

For those anglers wishing to try bowfishing for carp, you should be aware that the Environmental Conservation Law states that, "Any person who has a fishing license or a small game hunting license or is entitled to fish without a license may take carp of any size and in any number by longbow from May 15 through September 30 from any water in the state where fishing and the discharge of a bow is permitted." No other fish may be taken with a bow. It is the responsibiltiy of the person discharging a bow to follow all state laws and local ordinances.

DEC Region 3; (845) 256-3066

Name of Water: Wallkill RiverLocation (county): UlsterPublic access: There are no formal access sites, but several informal sites south of New Paltz along Libertyville and Albany Post Roads.

Name of Water: Hudson RiverLocation (county): Dutchess, Ulster, OrangePublic access: many access opportunitiesNotes: The Hudson River is the only water in the Region with much opportunity to catch large (&> 30 lb) carp

DEC Region 4; (607) 652-7366

Name of Water: Tomhannock ReservoirLocation (county):Rensselaer CountyPublic access: Access with City of Troy permit. Shore fishing only, no boats or waders.

Name of Water: Susquehanna RiverLocation (county): Otsego CountyPublic access: There are a series of car top launch sites along the river.

Name of Water: Goodyear LakeLocation (county):Otsego CountyPublic access:There is a DEC launch site on the south end of the lake - car top only.

Name of Water: Hudson RiverLocation (county):Albany, Rensselaer, Green and Columbia CountiesPublic access: Public launch sites and waterfront parks for shore fishing.Regulation note: Bowfishing is prohibited from the catch and release section of the Hudson River

DEC Region 5; (518) 897-1333

Name of Water: Hudson River (Stillwater Pool at Coveville; backside of Griffin Island in the bay)Location (county): Saratoga, WashingtonPublic access: No public boat launches; commercial fee access launches at Stillwater and at CovevilleRegulation Note: Bowfishing is prohibited from the catch and release section of the Hudson River

Name of Water: Hudson River (Corinth to Lake Luzerne)Location (county): SaratogaPublic access: On East River Drive, 2.5 miles south of the Village of Luzerne. Hard surface launching ramp. Parking for 30 cars and trailers

Name of Water: South Bay Lake ChamplainLocation (county): WashingtonPublic access: South Bay Boat Launch, 2 ½ miles NW of Village of Whitehall

Name of Water: Sacandaga ReservoirLocation (county): FultonPublic access: (NYS) Northville Boat Launch, Route 30, Village of Northville; (NYS) Broadalbin Boat Launch, off Cty Route 110 3 miles NE of Village of Broadalbin; and (NYS) Northampton Beach Public Campground, near Route 30, 1 ½ miles South of Village of Northville

Name of Water: Sacandaga ReservoirLocation (county): SaratogaPublic access: (NYS) Saratoga County Boat Launch, 5 Miles North of the Village of Edinburgh

Name of Water: Saratoga LakeLocation (county): SaratogaPublic access: State park boat launch site at north end of lake; private launches and marinas

Name of Water: Ballston LakeLocation (county): SaratogaPublic access: No public boat launches; commercial boat launch available

DEC Region 6; (315) 785-2263

Name of Water: St. Lawrence River Wellesley Island (Eel Bay)Location (county): JeffersonPublic access: boat access in State Park

Name of Water: St. Lawrence River (Lake St. Lawrence - Waddington to Massena)Location (county): St. LawrencePublic access: Bulk (&>90%) of shoreline is owned by the New York Power Authority.

Name of Water: Mohawk River / Barge CanalLocation (county): Oneida, HerkimerPublic access: Barge Canal - bulk (>90%) of shoreline is owned by the New York State Thruway Authority. Mohawk River is a mix of public and private lands. Public and private marinas and launches on both waters.

Name of Water: Lake View Wildlife Management AreaLocation (county); JeffersonPublic access: boat access at north and south ends of WMA

For additional information on carp fishing along the St. Lawrence River see: http://www.carp.org/

DEC Region 9; (716) 372-0645

Name of Water: Lake Erie (Dunkirk Harbor)Location (county)Public access: Public fishing pier and park for access as well as breakwalls, but need a boat to get to themNotes: Abundant carp in the 10-20 pound range

Name of Water: Kinzua ReservoirLocation (county): Cattaraugus CountyPublic access: Excellent shoreline access but must contact the Seneca Nation of Indians for the most part. However, county owned land at Onoville Marina is NYS and has plenty of shoreline accessNotes: Abundant carp up to 30 pounds

Name of Water: Cuba LakeLocation (county): Allegany CountyPublic access: Note- has abundant carp up to 40 pounds but shoreline access may be a problem. There is some, but not necessarily in the "carp" areas

Name of Water: Chautauqua LakeLocation (county): ChautauquaPublic access: Shoreline access at Long Point (NYS), Tom's Point (NYS), Prendergast (NYS), Mayville (City of Mayville) and Lakewood (Town of Lakewood).

Name of Water: Allegheny RiverLocation (county): CattaraugusPublic access: shoreline access available at bridges and along dike system in from Portville to Olean. Reservation license needed to fish section below Village of Allegany. Fish usually not large with average about 3-4 lbs but very abundant.

Name of Water: Lower Niagara RiverLocation: Niagara County, Towns of Lewiston and Porter.Public access: Shorefishing opportunities are available at State Parks (Fort Niagara State Park and Joe Davis State Park), New York Power Authority fishing platform, Lewiston Marina (ASand Docks@) and Youngstown Waterfront Park.Best guess at size of carp: Carp more than 30 lbs.

Name of Water: Hyde Park LakeLocation: Niagara County, City of Niagara FallsPublic access: Located in Hyde Park (City Park) and a large portion of the shoreline is publicly accessible.Best guess at size of carp: Up to 15 lbs.

Name of Water: New York Power Authority ReservoirLocation: Town of LewistonPublic access: Some shoreline area available for fishing.Best guess at size of carp: Up to 25 lbs.

Name of Water: Erie CanalLocation: Shared border water between Erie and Niagara CountiesPublic access: Town and County parklands along shoreline.Best guess at size of carp: Up to 20 lbs.

Name of Water: Upper Niagara RiverLocation: Erie County, Towns of Grand Island, Tonawanda, N. Tonawanda, Wheatfield and LaSalle.Public access: Town and State parklands along shoreline.Best guess at size of carp: Up to 25 lbs.

Name of Water: Wilson Harbor (embayment of Lake Ontario)Location: Town of WilsonPublic access: Public breakwater and State parklands along shoreline.Best guess at size of carp: Up to 35 lbs.

Name of Water: Buffalo Harbor (embayment of Lake Erie)Location: Erie County (City of Buffalo)Public access: Limited public access along shore, except at Buffalo Small Boat Harbor and adjacent breakwalls.Best guess at size of carp: Up to 35 lbs.

Name of Water: Buffalo RiverLocation: Erie CountyPublic access: Limited shoreline available at local parklands. There may be personal security concerns at some of the parks.Best guess at size of carp: Up to 40 lbs.

Name of Water: Delaware Park Lake (Hoyt Lake)Location: Erie County (City of Buffalo)Public access: Hoyt Lake is located completely within Delaware Park, a City of Buffalo public park. Most lake shoreline is publicly accessible.Best guess at size of carp: Up to 20 lbs.